People living with cancer may turn to alternative healing therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, reflexology and herbal medicines as ways to combat their illness. Some of these techniques may even strengthen immunity.
People who explore alternative medicine tend to turn to it only after traditional treatments have failed, which can create complications like the placebo effect or misinterpreting the natural progression of disease.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
CAM stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). When used together with conventional treatments, such as pharmaceutical medicines or standard therapies, these methods may be considered complementary; when used instead of the latter category they become alternative medicine. Common forms of CAM are acupuncture (where thin solid needles are placed at specific points on the body), herbal remedies, and meditation.
There is some evidence that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies may reduce symptoms and enhance quality of life for cancer patients, but research is insufficient to recommend these approaches as a replacement for traditional medical care. If patients stop receiving conventional medical treatments altogether, their disease could worsen and they could miss out on receiving effective medication that could possibly cure them.
Some alternative treatments have not been scientifically evaluated and could cause side effects or interfere with traditional therapy regimens. Before trying CAM therapies, patients should speak to their healthcare provider first.
Conventional treatments, which are based on research and testing, include medications, radiotherapy, surgery, physiotherapy and dietetics. Many people also utilize complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) alongside conventional therapies in order to alleviate symptoms associated with their condition. According to many CAM practitioners, the body possesses its own ability to heal itself naturally.
Dietary supplements are one of the most prevalent complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices in the US, making up nearly one third of total consumption. Dietary supplements consist of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances not sold under FDA regulation; these can be purchased at health food stores and supermarkets. People also gain information about this form of alternative healthcare through friends/family/social media.
CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) therapy industry is an enormous multibillion-dollar industry, and more Americans than ever are taking part. People who utilize complementary and alternative medicines tend to be older, wealthier individuals with higher education levels.
Some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies have not been shown to work, yet are widely utilized by some with serious diseases. Such CAM therapies may be used as a means to relieve chemotherapy-related nausea symptoms, reduce stress levels or provide pain relief; there have also been less well-documented cases of stress reduction and pain relief from using it; there have even been reports that certain CAM therapies could actually be harmful.
Magnetic field therapy
Magnetic field therapy is an alternative healing treatment involving placing magnets on the body to treat various conditions. According to its proponents, weak magnetic fields stimulate the natural healing processes within our bodies to speed up recovery from illness or injuries while alleviating pain and improving overall well-being. However, there has been no conclusive scientific proof for its benefits; hence many practitioners often confuse magnetic field therapy with electromagnetic therapy forms which have more scientific backing – for instance repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS or TMS) and deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS).
Static magnets are used as an alternative form of medicine to promote blood flow and decrease inflammation, thus alleviating chronic conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia. Furthermore, magnetic therapy may offer stress relief by altering our electromagnetic fields in our bodies.
Magnets can be placed over specific body areas such as acupuncture points or painful joints to deliver stimulating pulses of magnetic energy that increase cell membrane permeability, helping regulate intracellular potentials and maintain equilibrium within our immune systems.
Magnetic energy may facilitate the rapid absorption of waste materials from cells, speeding up cell renewal processes, correcting endocrine disorders, and maintaining balanced physiological functions.
Magnetic field therapy has yet to be scientifically demonstrated to have any beneficial effects, yet is generally accepted as safe for most individuals. Due to a lack of research on young children or pregnant women due to limited studies conducted with these populations, as well as individuals with certain metal implants such as pacemakers.
Pulsed and alternating magnetic field therapy and multipolar magnets are two additional forms of electromagnetic field therapy, in addition to magnetic field therapy. Pulsed and alternating magnetic field therapy uses different frequencies to stimulate nerve cells in the brain; it has been FDA-approved for treating major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as smoking cessation. On the other hand, multipolar magnets use multiple magnets arranged in rows in order to generate magnetic field gradients that penetrate further into the body.
Reiki
Reiki is an energy healing practice involving channeling the universal life force energies to balance and restore one’s body to its natural state of relaxation and healing. A practitioner will place their hands over different parts of a recipient’s body in order to pass this energy directly onto them; typically this treatment takes place while they remain fully clothed and lying down during sessions.
Research into reiki is limited, yet some studies have demonstrated its ability to reduce fatigue and pain as well as help people sleep better, according to a 2024 systematic review of five studies. Another study discovered reiki can improve quality of life for cancer patients as it relieves stress-induced pain and fatigue.
Studies have also demonstrated that reiki can ease anxiety. For instance, two studies from 2023 and 2024 performed with individuals waiting for surgery and those suffering cancer respectively found that sessions of reiki therapy significantly reduced fear and anxiety; researchers theorized that this may be because it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which regulates fight-or-flight response as well as rest and recovery.
Reiki can use vibration to balance the body’s energy field. This concept has been explored in other alternative medicine practices, including sound therapy using drumming and vibrational instruments like didgeridoo. Indigenous cultures also utilize vibrational techniques like these during ceremonies or through drumming, chanting, overtoning or humming ceremonies in order to restore equilibrium and restore balance.
While there is evidence of Reiki’s benefits, Miles cautions that it should not be seen as a replacement for conventional medical treatments. When considering any alternative therapies such as Reiki it’s essential that you inform your healthcare provider so they can ensure you receive optimal care for your wellbeing.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health offers various energy biofield therapies. These therapies use putative yet unmeasured energy fields to affect health, often through light touch techniques such as Reiki. Other types include Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch.
Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies are made up of parts of plants like leaves, roots, seeds or flowers which have been processed into treatments for ailments like pain and allergies. You can find herbal products available from health food shops, chemists or supermarkets; however a qualified herbal practitioner should typically recommend tailored blends that best suit their patients’ individual needs – anti-inflammatory herbs with painkilling properties, energy boosters or sleep enhancers such as Echinacea devil’s claw rosehip lavender are examples of such remedies.
Herbs don’t follow the same regulations as mainstream drugs and medicines, which means they may interfere with other medications or cause side effects. Before taking any herbs, always speak with your GP or pharmacist first to make sure it’s appropriate for you and any pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should check whether any herbal medicine could potentially pose risks to their unborn or nursing babies.
Acupuncture
This method involves inserting fine needles at certain points on the body to correct imbalances of natural energies and improve health, such as back pain, menstrual cramps or joint issues. Around 80% of world population use this form of care as primary health care.
Ayurveda, an ancient Indian practice that balances natural energies of the body with diet, exercise and massage therapy to restore balance to it. Ayurveda has reportedly helped treat asthma, high blood pressure, tuberculosis and other diseases.
Alternative healing therapies such as Tai Chi and Dance Therapy may provide alternative means of relief, while Art Therapy enables a person to express themselves creatively while helping to alleviate depression.
Obwohl alternative treatments can often be safe to try, it’s wise to consult a licensed herbalist or health practitioner first before trying anything new. Furthermore, be wary when purchasing custom-made herbal medications online as these may not have been created to the same safety standards as FDA-regulated pharmaceutical drugs. If any concerns arise with them you can report unlicensed herbal products through Yellow Card scheme.
